THE BINGHAMTON INCUBATION PROGRAM (BIP)
Binghamton University's Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships manages programs to provide opportunities for students, researchers and entrepreneurial members of the regional business ecosystem. These programs provide resources and guidance startups need to succeed, expanding on the beneficial facilities offered.
Since its inception in 2017, BIP companies have raised over $167 million in funding and created 377 jobs, supporting regional economic development.
Students, individuals, teams or researchers interested in these programs are encouraged to inquire about how E&IP can best support your venture. Programs within BIP are as follows:
THE SOUTHERN TIER CLEAN ENERGY INCUBATOR (SCI)
The Southern Tier Clean Energy Incubator (SCI) exists within the Koffman Incubator. The SCI program leverages deep research and development resources at Binghamton University and the Koffman Incubator to offer a full suite of mentoring, networking, training and technical support to emerging clean energy companies.
The program is funded by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and SCI strives to start, attract and grow clean energy companies to drive economic growth and further New York State's ambitious clean energy goals.
XCEED
The XCEED program is a $750,000 project awarded by the Economic Development Administration. The program aims to transform Greater Binghamton into a center of Cleantech innovation, focusing on translating academic discoveries and supporting student entrepreneurship.
XCEED provides undergraduate internships and a three-phase experiential entrepreneurship fellowship program for graduate students to learn about development and commercialization of Cleantech innovations.
EMPOWERST
empowerST, a NYSERDA-funded, first-of-its-kind battery accelerator program at Binghamton University, provides salary and R&D funding alongside entrepreneurship training, startup company support and access to the fast-growing regional battery cluster for nascent entrepreneurs wanting to commercialize novel battery technologies. Fellows will work as part of the NorthEast Center for Chemical Energy Storage directed by 2019 Nobel Laureate M. Stanley Whittingham and receive strategic commercialization support from the Southern Tier Clean Energy Incubator program to maximize the business potential of their technologies.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION I-CORPS
The I-Corps program is for undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty and staff with research-based concepts looking to progress their research. Research can originate from student work, research (funded or unfunded), institutional or industrial projects. National Science Foundation resources combine with Binghamton University's to provide infrastructure, advice, networking opportunities, training and funding to bring research from the lab to market.
Through the use of short-courses, the I-Corps program will determine potential customers for specific research and explore the business model canvas to understand the viability of launching a startup. Upon completion of the I-Corps program, participants are eligible to apply for the NSF I-Corps Team National program (an intensive six-week NSF training with the opportunity to be awarded a $50,000 grant) as well as many other funding opportunities.
START-UP NY
START-UP NY offers new and expanding businesses the opportunity to operate tax-free for 10 years on or near eligible university or college campuses in New York State.
By partnering with Binghamton University through this program, businesses gain direct access to advanced research laboratories, development resources and experts in key industries in addition to the tax incentives.
Since 2013, more than 200 companies have made use of START-UP NY, and the program has resulted in more than 4,000 jobs and over $200 million in investment in companies' respective communities, according to the state.
To be eligible for the program, businesses must operate inside New York or be willing to relocate to the state. Once approved, businesses enjoy the benefits of research facilities within the universities, development resources and experts in industries relevant to their field.
THE BINGHAMTON ACCELERATOR PROGRAM
The Binghamton Accelerator Program is designed for innovative startups in need of strategic direction.
Companies accepted into this program will be put through a crash course on the Business Model Canvas and in-person interviews, determining if their product or service is a viable company. Facilitated throughout the year, the course ends with a go, no-go, or a pivot on the concept.
The Binghamton Accelerator Program accepts applications on a rolling basis and is overseen by Eric Krohn, director of business incubation programming.
